Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this Unique WWI Era semi-auto pistol today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III also referred to as the Model M!
The Model 1903, like the name, was first produced in 1903. The Type III Models were chambered for .32 ACP, have 3 3/4" barrels, no barrel bushing and were serialized from 105,051-468,096 with production dates between 1910 to 1926 .
This particular example features an 6 1/2" Target style barrel. The history of these rarely seen long barreled Model 1903s is somewhat complicated. Colt may have experimented with this design given the unfinished example pictured on page 23 of John Brunner's book on the Pocket Hammerless, but all of the other known examples are believed to have been altered outside of the factory such as the others pictured in Brunner's book.
The Model 1903, like the name, was first produced in 1903. The Type III Models were chambered for .32 ACP, have 3 3/4" barrels, no barrel bushing and were serialized from 105,051-468,096 with production dates between 1910 to 1926 .
This particular example features an 6 1/2" Target style barrel. The history of these rarely seen long barreled Model 1903s is somewhat complicated. Colt may have experimented with this design given the unfinished example pictured on page 23 of John Brunner's book on the Pocket Hammerless, but all of the other known examples are believed to have been altered outside of the factory such as the others pictured in Brunner's book.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III
Serial: 305056
Date of Manufacture: 1919
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6 1/2" Target
Optics/Sights: Fixed Patridge Blade on Base Front and Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic Colt
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
No one today gives any thought to the number of small pistols because so many options are available, but at one time the variety was not so plentiful. But it was one pistol in particular that got the ball rolling for the pocket gun craze, and it’s been rolling on ever since, the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless.
If you wanted to buy a handgun at the turn of the century that was small and concealable, you options were pretty limited. Most of the choices were revolvers, the venerable 1911 was not even a blue print, and semi automatic pistols were in their infancy. John Browning, however, had designed a new semi-auto pistol around the fairly new .32 ACP cartridge. The new gun was dubbed the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, or behind closed doors at the plant, the Hammerless Model M. Although the name was misleading, the gun did have a hammer, but it was concealed inside the slide. This gave the 1903 Colt the ability to be carried in a pocket without worrying about it getting snagged. Offered in blue or a nickel finish, the first Colt 1903’s came with hard rubber grips and later wore wood grips with a Colt medallion.
The early Colt 1903 had a four-inch barrel, then later a 3.75 inch barrel and they had various barrel bushings throughout their production, the earliest being separate and then later integral. Overall the pistol was 6.75 inches long, 4.375 inches tall and just a scant 7/8 of an inch in width. Compare the Colt 1903 with the Glock 43 which is 6.25 inches long, 4.25 inches tall and one inch wide and the Glock 43 was designed for concealed carry in every way shape and form. While the .32 ACP is no powerhouse by today’s standards, you have to remember that none of the cartridges we take for granted today were available. The 9mm was only first being experimented with in Europe, the .45 ACP wouldn’t be seen until 1905 and the only .40-caliber rounds at the time were in revolvers. The .32 ACP had a 71 grain FMJ that was listed as having a muzzle velocity of 900 fps and the Colt 1903 had a magazine capacity of eight rounds, giving you a total of nine with one in the chamber. The magazine release was a heel style, which was typical of the day, especially in Europe. Like many of John Browning’s other designs, the Colt 1903 proved to be well ahead of its time. It not only had a thumb safety, but a grip safety as well, something that would be popular on other Colt pistols.
The pistol became an instant hit with anyone who felt the need to carry a gun, from cop to crook alike. They became an issued handgun to several police agencies in various parts of the country. Soon there was clamor for a more powerful version, so Colt created the 1908 Pocket Hammerless (not to be confused with the 1908 Vest Pocket), which was essentially the same gun but in the new .380 ACP. The Colt 1903 though was still popular for decades even after the 1908 made its debut and during the production run the 1903 was by far a much more popular. There were more than 770,000 of both models produced, but only 138,000 of those were Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. The 1903 found a home in various parts of the world. The British bought several for use in Ireland in 1921. Japanese officers preferred them to their own issue handguns. The British again received more 1903’s prior to World War II as part of the Lend-Lease program.
In addition to other governments, both the 1903 and the 1908 Pocket Hammerless models found their way into the US Military. Known as the General Officers Model pistol, they were issued to those officers who were carrying a sidearm, but didn’t need the heft and weight on a 1911 Colt. There were 4,000 issued and of those, 2,500 were 1903 versions. These guns were parkerized but a small few were blued and had the US Property markings on the right side of the frame. Some more famous names carried the 1903, including General Douglas MacArthur for a time. The Office of Strategic Services also preferred to issue the 1903 over the 1908. The General Officers Model was issued until the 1970’s before finally being phased out. For those out there who have a hankering for these guns but for some reason don’t want an “old” gun, Colt is now offering the 1903 Pocket Hammerless once again. Colt has teamed up with the U.S. Armament Corporation and is producing the 1903 General Officers Model which looks identical to the same gun that was made fifty years ago.
The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless was an innovative handgun that was ahead of its time when John Browning designed it well over a century ago, it started the trend of small frame concealable handguns that could be carried reliably and safely, and no matter where the trend goes, we all know where to look back to see where it began.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III
Serial: 305056
Date of Manufacture: 1919
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6 1/2" Target
Optics/Sights: Fixed Patridge Blade on Base Front and Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic Colt
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
No one today gives any thought to the number of small pistols because so many options are available, but at one time the variety was not so plentiful. But it was one pistol in particular that got the ball rolling for the pocket gun craze, and it’s been rolling on ever since, the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless.
If you wanted to buy a handgun at the turn of the century that was small and concealable, you options were pretty limited. Most of the choices were revolvers, the venerable 1911 was not even a blue print, and semi automatic pistols were in their infancy. John Browning, however, had designed a new semi-auto pistol around the fairly new .32 ACP cartridge. The new gun was dubbed the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, or behind closed doors at the plant, the Hammerless Model M. Although the name was misleading, the gun did have a hammer, but it was concealed inside the slide. This gave the 1903 Colt the ability to be carried in a pocket without worrying about it getting snagged. Offered in blue or a nickel finish, the first Colt 1903’s came with hard rubber grips and later wore wood grips with a Colt medallion.
The early Colt 1903 had a four-inch barrel, then later a 3.75 inch barrel and they had various barrel bushings throughout their production, the earliest being separate and then later integral. Overall the pistol was 6.75 inches long, 4.375 inches tall and just a scant 7/8 of an inch in width. Compare the Colt 1903 with the Glock 43 which is 6.25 inches long, 4.25 inches tall and one inch wide and the Glock 43 was designed for concealed carry in every way shape and form. While the .32 ACP is no powerhouse by today’s standards, you have to remember that none of the cartridges we take for granted today were available. The 9mm was only first being experimented with in Europe, the .45 ACP wouldn’t be seen until 1905 and the only .40-caliber rounds at the time were in revolvers. The .32 ACP had a 71 grain FMJ that was listed as having a muzzle velocity of 900 fps and the Colt 1903 had a magazine capacity of eight rounds, giving you a total of nine with one in the chamber. The magazine release was a heel style, which was typical of the day, especially in Europe. Like many of John Browning’s other designs, the Colt 1903 proved to be well ahead of its time. It not only had a thumb safety, but a grip safety as well, something that would be popular on other Colt pistols.
The pistol became an instant hit with anyone who felt the need to carry a gun, from cop to crook alike. They became an issued handgun to several police agencies in various parts of the country. Soon there was clamor for a more powerful version, so Colt created the 1908 Pocket Hammerless (not to be confused with the 1908 Vest Pocket), which was essentially the same gun but in the new .380 ACP. The Colt 1903 though was still popular for decades even after the 1908 made its debut and during the production run the 1903 was by far a much more popular. There were more than 770,000 of both models produced, but only 138,000 of those were Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. The 1903 found a home in various parts of the world. The British bought several for use in Ireland in 1921. Japanese officers preferred them to their own issue handguns. The British again received more 1903’s prior to World War II as part of the Lend-Lease program.
In addition to other governments, both the 1903 and the 1908 Pocket Hammerless models found their way into the US Military. Known as the General Officers Model pistol, they were issued to those officers who were carrying a sidearm, but didn’t need the heft and weight on a 1911 Colt. There were 4,000 issued and of those, 2,500 were 1903 versions. These guns were parkerized but a small few were blued and had the US Property markings on the right side of the frame. Some more famous names carried the 1903, including General Douglas MacArthur for a time. The Office of Strategic Services also preferred to issue the 1903 over the 1908. The General Officers Model was issued until the 1970’s before finally being phased out. For those out there who have a hankering for these guns but for some reason don’t want an “old” gun, Colt is now offering the 1903 Pocket Hammerless once again. Colt has teamed up with the U.S. Armament Corporation and is producing the 1903 General Officers Model which looks identical to the same gun that was made fifty years ago.
The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless was an innovative handgun that was ahead of its time when John Browning designed it well over a century ago, it started the trend of small frame concealable handguns that could be carried reliably and safely, and no matter where the trend goes, we all know where to look back to see where it began.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
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Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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